TAXPAYERS’ cash of up to £5,500 was spent on lavish lunches for 110 VIPs at Southend Airshow...but only 23 people turned up.

Southend Council pre-booked the £50, five-course buffet in the Cliffs Pavilion restaurant for 50 guests on Sunday, but only 20 dignitaries bothered to go.

On Monday, a further 60 places were booked, but just three guests – Southend mayor Brian Smith, his wife Lynn, and a council official – arrived for the lunch which included a welcome drink and canapes, a luxury five- course buffet, afternoon tea and half a bottle of wine per person.

It is believed diners were turned away at the door because tables were booked by the council, but were actually left empty.

Southend Council admitted 20 people turned up for the lunch on Sunday and claimed it had advertised for people to buy tickets for lunch with the mayor on Monday, but had no takers.

Officials are now in talks with the Cliffs Pavilion to get some money back.

The council said the event was for key players and VIPs associated with the airshow.

The authority added councillors who attended paid for their lunch tickets.

Despite repeated requests from the Echo, the council would not tell us how many councillors turned up.

Mr Dolling said the meals were paid in advance, and for the Monday event, the council had advertised on www.visitsouthend.co.uk for people to buy tickets from the council to have lunch with the mayor.

In fact, nobody turned up for the lunch on Monday apart from the mayor Brian Smith, his wife and the deputy macebearer.

Mr Smith was not told people could buy the tickets on the web.

FULL STORY AND REACTION IN THURSDAY'S ECHO